Craftsman

Very nice scene, good crowd, and good live music. Food trucks right outside are super convenient and really good. Will definitely check this place out again.

Ridiculously fantastic cocktails! If you love ginger in your mule, and I do, there’s are made with house made ginger beer. Add your spirit of choice. Cocktails are well balanced and not syrupy sweet like some pseudo mixology bars. Love this place!

There’s only so much room in my heart for craft cocktail bars and while I love a play on a French 7X, if it’s Saturday and I’m there to dance, I don’t care if you holiday tea infused my gin or not, just give me some vodka and soda water that has bubbles and turn me loose.
The Holiday French 75 was good to start but like I said, it wasn’t a sipping cocktails night, so I switched to ruby red and soda after, which I think were $ 6 but no itemized bill at the end (annoying). Some of the clientele was annoying as well, like the big dude blazing his stupid e-​cig in everyone’s face and who almost knocked me and my $ 9 fancy ass drink over. Real men smoke real cigarettes. That’s who I smoked with on the porch half the night.
There were some Rainey Street rejects, some wayward West Sixthers, some stuck up bitches, some cool dudes, some neighborhood peeps, some out of towners, and even someone else I knew from Austin in the 90s. So, an interesting mix. The dj was pretty good, though, as the night wore on, he started cutting up the songs. I’ve never understood this. You’re playing Old School Hip Hop. Then let it play. If it’s a decent mix, then fine, but about half of them were really abrupt and nonsensical.
They do hip hop every other Saturday so I’ll be back in a couple weeks. As usual, I recommend leaving «out» before 2 am and this is no exception but I stayed til last call and that’s when the really nice staff unceremoniously tells you to leave which I understand but I also needed to find my friend and not get stranded in BFE and the whole thing reminds you The Accused but in reverse. So, avoid all that and just leave everywhere by 1:30.

We were looking for a laid-​back bar with a fun vibe for our company party, and someone suggested Craftsman. The owner coordinated with us via Facebook, and everything went smoothly. The bartenders were INCREDIBLY friendly! There were lots of drink/​cocktail options, a DJ (every weekend, I believe), and several food trucks nearby. I loved the front porch/​patio as well!

Awesome place, drinks, and vibe. Came here for a work happy hour on a Thursday. Bar was busy but not overly crowded. The bar tender was nice and patient, drinks were great! Strong, delish Moscow mule! Great food trucks out front and TETHER BALL! Take you back to your elementary school days!

Had amazing drinks here last weekend! It seems like they change up their specials, but if you can get the watermelon drink with velvet falernum foam I’d definitely recommend it. It was basically a little cloud of heaven sitting on top of my drink.
Loved the décor, furniture and porch. They also had an awesome taco truck in front.

After visiting again on a less crowded night, I got to explore a little more. How did I miss the tether ball court in the front? So much fun!
Austin flying Pizza truck parks out front sometimes, and they are getting a taco truck soon.
Cocktails and atmosphere are still amazing, and each time I visit I find a new little nook to settle in.
Part of me wants to rate a ¹⁄₅ so it stays this hidden gem :)

My friends and I were brunching in the neighborhood and stopped in here to have one last drink on a Sunday.
The bar is very rustic, the bartender was nice enough to give me a big glass for water and the service was quick. It wasn’t very crowded for a Sunday afternoon so we were able to get one of the few high top tables inside.
I ordered the watermelon margarita and it was delicious with the fresh squeezed juice! Very well blended and ice cold! They also have a small stage inside and their was a band beginning to play as I was leaving. This is a nice neighborhood style hang out!

I like a number of things about this place. For example, the fact that it’s located in a cute old house, plus the number of areas to hang out is pretty awesome! There is a front room with some tables and formal, yet comfy chairs. There are 2 patios, one in front and one out back with picnic tables and such. There also is a back room with more tables and some bar-​wall seating, which is fun to watch people have fun on the dance floor.
I also really liked the drinks. I had the rhubarb spritzer– delicious, and the circumference of a circle (please change the name of that! — it is way too long to tell the bartender in a loud bar) which was pretty good. Three fancy cocktails and a $ 27 tab isn’t terrible, but could be better. The service was ok, but definitely not friendly at all… although there was a group of unruly drunk dudes that seemed to be putting the bar staff in a bad mood. There is also a food truck that I think I saw lobster rolls on the menu and wiffle ball out front while you wait for food. That’s a plus.
What wasn’t my thing was the overall cheesy meatball meat market vibe I got where part of Rainey Street exploded here… in a really bad way. The clientele was mostly hammered and acting like total idiots and it was only 10 pm! I can’t imagine what 2am looks like here! Yikes! Everyone appeared to be 30+something’s, but acting like immature frat boys. Not impressed. The DJ was pretty terrible and while he attempted to mix some fun, danceable stuff, he seemed to choose the cheesiest parts of 90’s hip hop and 80’s and 90’s pop and try to mix it together, for example the song Roxanne mixed with that C & C music factory song. Ick!!!
I would probably come back for that rhubarb spritzer though! I really want to like it here, but the dj probably brings out that type of clientele, so I fear it’ll just be the same if I tried it again:(but I’ll give it another try at some point just to see.

Gorgeously restored early 1900s bungalow
Live music
Fun, friendly people
Great drinks (yummy in-​house infused beer)
South side flying pizza trailer (and more to come!)
All the good things!!!
I’m excited that this great joint is in my hood & look forward to making it a go-​to happy hour spot!

I am not a cocktail person but the 2 drinks I tried here were not only delicious they were visually appealing. I love the flooring and décor of the place as well. The staff was super friendly and enjoyed talking with my friends about their cocktails.
If you like a well made cocktail that is a little different then this spot needs to be on your list.

This place blows. The feel is that it’s just another set of Dirty 6^th douches trying to cash in on the East Side. My group of 10 or so stopped in on a birthday tour that started down the street and ended up across the street. The drinks sucked and were way overpriced, and they had the single worst DJ I have ever heard in my life. Not only was he playing stupid ass songs, but there was absolutely no rhyme or reason or flow from one song to the next. But to make matters WORSE, the staff (owners?) seemed to be ALL ABOUT IT, as if this was EXACTLY what they wanted for their bar. We got the fuck out of there as fast as we could, and we won’t be back.

Another new bar on Cesar Chavez. The vibe of the place is great and they whip up some great tequila based drinks. They also have a homemade ginger mix that is pretty damn good.
We tried 4 – 5 of the drinks on the menu and all of them were good. We also weren’t disappointed when we went off menu. The bartenders are cool dudes and definitely take pride in their craft.
If we find our way back to Cesar Chavez we will for sure be making another pit stop.

Came here on a Thursday night (it was not crowded AT ALL) and asked for a few glasses of water. It was hot and humid outside were we were sitting (think 90+ degrees in Texas) and every single person I was with had already ordered a beer/​cocktail. The bartender said they had a «shortage of glasses» — there were at minimum 40 visible glasses in front of him! Instead, he pointed me to the tiny paper cone cups in a rude manner and said I could use those.
On the plus side, the taco truck in front of this place is really great.

Already loving the F*CK outta this place. Been here 10 minutes. Well the inside is cool as shit. The outside is cool as shit. (Why do I feel like I’m sitting on some Southern porch in a rocking chair w my iced tea?! It’s kinda adorbs.)
Anywhooooo told the bartender Shawn I’ve wanted to try this place but couldn’t afford $ 9 cocktails was just checking the menu and he was like «Oh. Well we got house margs for $ 3 and specialty margs for $ 4 with your choice of blackberry ginger beer or …» (something else, I forget). So I did the specialty marg w the blackberry ginger beer! OMG it was delicious!
And they had $ 1 mini High Life’s !! So cute!!! With that delicious chili lime salt around the neck. omg yum! Shawn was super cool — good bartender Cuz he got us to stay! Haha
Oh and so apparently this was an old house built in 1920. Great story behind it! Got into a convo w some of the investors who were there. Very interesting history of the place.
I will be back here for sure!
UPDATE: I’ve been back and it’s still awesome. STILL LOVING THE FRONT PORCH! They had a pint night with Revolver Brewing and I got a dope beer for $ 3 something plus the glass! Also saw my friend perform some awesome Texas folk here.
Oh, AND THEY HAVe A CHARGING STATION. it’s super legit. like this wooden box on the wall with a shit ton of phone chargers. I think that is such a thoughtful touch!

Big fan. From the mix of antique, cabin and modern décor, to the tasty drinks, to the great crew. This place is cool. There’s tons of space, including both a front porch and back patio area as well as ample space inside too.
Sean was great and crafted some nice cocktails for my friends and me. I went with their Feder is Better whiskey based cocktail. I enjoyed it. I also had a sip of their Bloody Mary and House Mule which my friends got. All were solid. They make their ginger beer in house which is pretty cool.
This is a place I’ll enjoy coming back to.

The logo in the back patio says, «If you shake it, they will come.» Well the people are already coming … and they have barely been open here. I almost don’t want to write my review because it is going to make others want to come check it out. You know like when you find something so good you want to keep it your dirty little secret. I have a feeling this place is going to be like that.
I didn’t realize it was right next door to Stay Gold and I was meeting a group of girls for Kimberly K’s birthday dinner. When I pulled up I saw Craftsman and knew I would be popping in before I left this area of town tonight. Luckily with my smooth talking skills after one drink at Stay Gold I was able to talk the ladies into wandering over to Craftsman.
They were a bit busy at 6:30 in the evening actually and only one bar tender I was surprised. In no time we had some shaken cocktails in our hands. I ordered the Dead Man Walking cocktails. It was unusual in a good way. I usually wouldn’t order something with cold brew or coffee in it. This was actually by accident on my part. The drink was still good and tasty and I am looking forward to making my way through the drink menu.
There was a food truck out front too, because if a bar wants to be successful in Austin these days you have to have a food truck too! The front porch had some nice seating areas. The inside had an old Victorian saloon vibe going on. I loved the décor and the furniture. I am also curious what kind of music will be playing on their stage … I. Can’t. Wait.
I already know I will be back here, this is my kind of place. So keep it shaking and I will see you soon Craftsman!

Excellent cocktails, a fine lineup of local taps, a nice wine list and some cheapo canned beer… seriously this place has something for everyone! They make some of the mixes in house and the house-​made ginger beer is a must try.
This bar feels homey with the original hard wood floors and unique vintage furniture. The ladies bathroom has the best wallpaper and there is a telephone booth near the bar to charge your phone. They have a wonderful patio with a mural in memory of Janie P. Capuchino which is simply beautiful.
The cocktail menu is creative and playful. I am obsessed with rosé wine so I started off with the Ponzi rosé from Oregon. It was super refreshing on this sweltering hot day and only $ 7. Jesse opted for a Bucket Head Thirsty Goat on tap. After sampling the ginger beer I later ordered a Moscow Mule. It usually turns me off when a mule is not served in a copper mug but their mule was too delicious to think twice about it. They have some interesting looking Prosecco based cocktails that I will definitely try on my next visit. They also specialize in barrel aged whiskeys.
They currently are in soft opening and are working on a few more renovations. The grand opening is ⁵⁄₃ so squeeze this place in on your Sunday Funday.

Mr. Smidgens loves new places! ! This place is sooooo new, they are still finishing the inside. They are open for business and will have their grand opening soon! !
Plenty of nooks and crannys to stand and sit inside or out. This used to be Cappuccino’s. Sean made us an old fashion with Angels Envy bourbon and it was quite delightful!
We spoke with Brandon, one of the owners about the neighborhood and his new venture. There will be DJs most of the time and possibly live music during happy hour.
Follow them on Facebook and stay tuned for what seems to be a new hangout for Mr. Smidgens!

I’m finding lately every time I visit a new bar in Austin I’m shouting «I love this place, this is my new favorite neighborhood bar» but really, Craftsman is my new favorite bar & I have a feeling this feeling will last a long time — this place is great.
Still finalizing a few details & they’re about 80% complete with renovations and they don’t officially open until May 3^rd but even with that being said this spot is pretty rad. I love the large front porch with rocking chairs and the back patio featuring lots of seating. Stage can be seen from both sides of the venue. Per the owners a food truck will be featured + live music & a DJ on most nights!